Here you’ll find 26 African animals that start with D, organized from “Dama gazelle” to “Dwarf mongoose”. They include small insectivores, grazing antelopes, birds, and reptiles found across Africa. Use it for school projects, species comparisons, or quick reference.

African animals that start with D are species native to Africa whose common names begin with the letter D. Many have cultural significance, such as the Dama gazelle, an emblem of Sahelian wildlife.

Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Primary habitat, Typical lifespan (wild), Geographic region, and Conservation status.

Common name: The familiar name you see and use, helping you quickly identify and search for each species.

Scientific name: The accepted binomial gives precise identification and lets you cross-check species in databases and field guides.

Primary habitat: Broad habitat categories show where each animal lives, helping you understand ecology and likely sightings.

Typical lifespan (wild): Average life expectancy in natural conditions, useful for ecological context and lifecycle comparisons.

Geographic region: The main African areas where the species occurs, aiding region-specific research or travel planning.

Conservation status: A shorthand of extinction risk, helping you prioritize species of concern for study or awareness.

African animals that start with D

Common nameScientific namePrimary habitat(s) & regionTypical lifespan (wild, years)
Damara dik-dikMadoqua damarensisArid shrubland, Southern (Namibia, Angola)4–8
Dama gazelleNanger damaSahel/Semi-desert, North-Central (Sahel, Sahara fringes)10–15
Desert warthogPhacochoerus aethiopicusArid savanna/desert margins, East (Horn, Kenya)8–12
Dwarf crocodileOsteolaemus tetraspisFreshwater forest streams, West-Central Africa35–50
Dwarf mongooseHelogale parvulaSavanna, woodland, Southern/Central/East Africa5–7
DugongDugong dugonMarine/coastal (shallow seagrass beds), East/Southern Africa60–70
Dusky dolphinLagenorhynchus obscurusMarine/coastal, Southern (South Africa coast)20–25
Diederik cuckooChrysococcyx capriusWoodland/savanna, Sub-Saharan Africa (Widespread)3–6
DrillMandrillus leucophaeusTropical forest, West-Central Africa18–25
De Brazza’s monkeyCercopithecus neglectusRiverine/forest, Central Africa15–25
DibatagAmmodorcas clarkeiArid grassland/steppes, Horn of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia)8–12
Desert hedgehogParaechinus aethiopicusDesert/semi-desert, North Africa & Arabian fringe3–5
Desert sparrowPasser simplexDesert/rocky scrub, North & West Africa3–5
Double-banded sandgrousePterocles bicinctusDry open plains, Southern Africa5–8
Dark chanting goshawkMelierax metabatesWoodland/savanna, West-Central-East-Southern Africa10–15
Drakensberg rockjumperChaetops aurantiusMontane grassland/rocky slopes, Southern (Drakensberg)8–10
Denham’s bustardNeotis denhamiOpen savanna/grassland, West-Central-East Africa8–12
Dwarf bitternIxobrychus sturmiiWetland/reedbeds, Sub-Saharan Africa3–6
Damara ternSternula balaenarumCoastal/marine (shorelines, Southern Africa – Namibia/South Africa)12–20
Desert locustSchistocerca gregariaDesert/grassland, North & East Africa (Sahel to Arabian fringe)0.25
Double-collared sunbirdCinnyris chalybeusFynbos/woodland, Southern Africa5–7
Double-banded courserRhinoptilus africanusOpen dry plains/scrub, Southern/East Africa5–8
Dwarf bee-eaterMerops pusillusWoodland/savanna near water, Southern-Central-Eastern Africa4–6
Damaraland mole-ratFukomys damarensisArid savanna/underground, Southern Africa (Namibia)6–10
Dusky sharkCarcharhinus obscurusMarine/coastal, Atlantic & Indian coasts of Africa20–30
Deathstalker scorpionLeiurus quinquestriatusDesert/rocky areas, North Africa & Sahara fringe4–8

Descriptions

Damara dik-dik
Tiny antelope with large eyes and pointed snout; highly territorial and uses alarm calls to warn mates.
Dama gazelle
Graceful, pale gazelle of arid plains; critically endangered with fragmented Sahel populations.
Desert warthog
Stocky wild pig with facial warts and tusks; adapted to dry, sandy habitats and digs for roots.
Dwarf crocodile
Small, secretive crocodile that prefers shaded forest pools; vulnerable to habitat loss and hunting.
Dwarf mongoose
Small social carnivore living in cooperative groups; bold and often follows predator alarm calls.
Dugong
Slow-moving marine mammal that grazes seagrass; vulnerable to habitat loss and bycatch.
Dusky dolphin
Acrobatic, compact dolphin known for energetic leaps and tight social groups nearshore.
Diederik cuckoo
Small cuckoo with distinctive repetitive call; brood parasite laying eggs in other birds’ nests.
Drill
Large, forest-dwelling primate with striking facial markings; endangered due to hunting and habitat loss.
De Brazza’s monkey
Stocky guenon with white beard and orange crown patch; secretive and often near watercourses.
Dibatag
Slender, long-legged antelope adapted to open dry plains; rare and localized.
Desert hedgehog
Small nocturnal insectivore with spines; survives arid zones by burrowing and nocturnal habits.
Desert sparrow
Compact, pale sparrow of sandy habitats; often found near oases and nomadic settlements.
Double-banded sandgrouse
Ground-dwelling bird that flies long distances to drink; males soak belly feathers to carry water to chicks.
Dark chanting goshawk
Medium raptor with loud, melodic calls; hunts reptiles and small mammals from perches.
Drakensberg rockjumper
Bold, terrestrial bird with vivid plumage; restricted to high-elevation rocky habitats.
Denham’s bustard
Large, ground-dwelling bird known for booming displays; populations declining from hunting and land use change.
Dwarf bittern
Small, secretive heron that hunts fish and insects in dense marsh vegetation.
Damara tern
Tiny tern nesting on sandy shores; threatened by disturbance and habitat alteration.
Desert locust
Highly mobile swarming grasshopper whose rapid breeding can devastate crops; lifecycle measured in months.
Double-collared sunbird
Colorful nectar-feeding bird with iridescent throat bands; common in gardens and fynbos.
Double-banded courser
Nocturnal shorebird-like runner with distinctive double breast bands; hunts insects by foot.
Dwarf bee-eater
Small, agile insectivore that hawks insects from low perches and nests in burrows.
Damaraland mole-rat
Fossorial rodent living in social colonies; eats roots and tubers, rarely seen above ground.
Dusky shark
Slow-growing, migratory requiem shark vulnerable to overfishing; dark brown to gray coloration.
Deathstalker scorpion
Highly venomous scorpion of arid regions; bright yellow, medically significant sting.
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